STRESS AND OPPORTUNITY IN THE ROLE OF THE PRISON WELFARE OFFICER

• NCJ Number: 34580
• Journal: British Journal of Social Work Volume: 5 Issue: 4 Dated: (WINTER 1975) Pages: 379-396
• Author(s): M PRATT
• Date Published: 1975
• Length: 18 pages
• Corporate Author: British Assoc of Social Workers
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United Kingdom
• Note: REPRINT

Annotation

THE AUTHOR EXPLORES THE NATURE OF THE STRESSES INVOLVED IN THE PRACTICE OF SOCIAL WORK IN THE CORRECTIONAL SETTING, AND ARGUES FOR THE POSITIVE CONTRIBUTIONS WHICH THE SOCIAL WORKER CAN MAKE TO REHABILITATION IN ENGLAND.

Abstract

STRESS, IT IS ARGUED, MAY BE A NECESSARY FUNCTION OF EFFECTIVE WORK IN THIS CONTEXT, AND ATTEMPTS TO REDUCE IT BY PROVIDING A MORE DETAILED ROLE DEFINITION AND A CLEARER POSITION WITHIN THE PRISON HIERARCHY ARE PREMATURE. THE ROLE OF THE PRISON WELFARE OFFICER IS SAID TO BE BEST DEFINED AS IT EMERGES FROM THE EXPERIENCE OF GOOD PRACTITIONERS WITHIN THE SYSTEM, A CONCEPT WITH IMPLICATIONS FOR THE CHOICE OF PERSONNEL FOR THIS TYPE OF WORK AND FOR THEIR APPROACH. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)